New Tricks Golden Chances

Chapter 11

Feeling encouraged enough by Sandra's words, Kai began to tell the Detective Chief Inspector everything he remembered from the cold Autumn October night James Hughes was tragically killed.

"I remember so much about that night DCI Beckford. I remember I was sitting with my colleagues, buying and having a pint, chatting with them. We were distracted by a loudmouthed argument that had broken out at the bar, two groups of four friends saying nasty things to one another and then James Hughes and another man Alfie Miller began to exchange blows, mainly shoves." Kai said, he was feeling all the more confident in the manner he spoke. "James must have said something spiteful that upset Alfie because from what I remember he stormed off in quite a hurry, he even abandoned his friends at the bar"

DCI Beckford sat further back against his chair, taking in every detailed word he'd heard from the young firefighter. As he done this, he was clearly figuring out on how to respond, on what the next logical step in the unresolved investigation should be. He couldn't help wondering whether or not he ought to let UCOS investigate this while they were still in Cardiff. As he rehearsed what to say he looked between Kai and Sandra as they both stood together united, much to the surprise of Gerry. "I think I've heard enough. Am I right in guessing that you're trying to tell me, Alfie Miller deliberately stormed off in a huff, with the intention of following James Hughes home and killing him there and then." He shared his speculative theory with them.

Sandra stepped forward, she was clearly unconvinced with the Detective's lack of knowledge and excellent accustomed skills. Seeing as nobody else within the room was willing to speak up on behalf of the team and Kai, she spoke out on what she really thought of the not so clever detective. "Not quite Sir, if you haven't read the report on this case, then I think you should do so now without further ado and get off the ground with how you plan to re-open this unsolved case." She happily told him.

It seemed as though she had left him enormously staggered after everything she'd said. "Yes I will try hardest to go and look for the outdated files. Can I just say Sandra, Strickland did say you were quite a determined and energetic detective. Suppose you learnt that from your father, especially with you retrospectively following in his footsteps into the police force." He smugly smiled. His comment seemingly left Sandra feeling enraged and annoyed by his rude behaviour.

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Outside the station while lighting up another cigarette, Gerry reflected on the conversation between Sandra and Robert. "Well, so much for him being a highly regarded detective. He's much more disrespectful to female detectives than my former DCI was back in the old days. Some never change their ways and always like to gloat too much" He started to make a valuable point, in which Jack agreed with.

"I don't see why we can't investigate this ourselves, DCI Beckford doesn't seem to care at all about the crucial evidence that Kai gave him. As far I could see back in that office was him showing less interest and acting more inconsiderate and lazy minded." Jack seemed pretty much persuaded by the DCI's selfish behaviour. As he was disliking the current mood of them, hanging around the Cardiff police station entrance-way and waiting for the detective to return with what he'd discovered. It hadn't gone unobserved by the team that their older friend was rather eager for them to press on and closely delve into the uncompleted case.

"Blimey Jack, you should be marching right back in there and giving that horrible bloke a right proper telling off" Gerry commented, this mention cheering up his UCOS colleagues.

"Maybe I should seeing as that annoying man doesn't want to help us with this." Jack smiled slightly to himself as he considered this, while he kept a closer vigilant eye on the station's revolving main entrance doorway.

Brian favorably supported his friend and had a clever suggestion to make. "Maybe I ought to help as well, by teaching him some respectful manners the only way I know how"

Gerry couldn't hold back or conceal his enjoyment at the thought of this any longer. "Good grief Brian, what are you saying.. you're gonna leave him feeling exceptionally worried about you telling him to hop it with his unfriendly behaviour and you teaching him how to dig deeply into certain cases. Won't be too long before he legs it and runs for the Welsh hills" he laughed out loud.

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When Beckford didn't return back to them, Kai implied that he and Sandra had better go and find him. "You know I think he didn't give a toss about what I had to say. He definitely gave me the proper impression that he was making stuff up as he spoke earlier. I'm no Psychologist or anything but I've also gotten the impression that maybe this might be one big cover up by Beckford and his team."

Sandra stood closely by him, she was surprised by his voiced concerns and accusations. Not wanting the rest of the UCOS team to eavesdrop on their conversation. She took Kai to one side and asked him what he really suspected might be going on. "Kai what are you suggesting?"

Kai sighed sadly. "I'm thinking Beckford's been bribed by Alfie, he's probably told him that if anyone asks about the murder, not to tell a soul about it. We've had this a lot, over the past few years in Cardiff, corrupted officers shutting away potential evidence."

"How do you know this?" Sandra asked, she felt she was hearing too much and believed she should be telling him not to say anything more incase they were possibly overheard chatting about this together.

"Read about it in the newspaper, oh believe me its always splashed in the local news and the officers constantly keep denying it all the time" Kai told her, he could tell that she seemed pretty much shocked.

"I'm not going to stop Sandra until I see Alfie Miller and now possibly Robert Beckford done for covering up the murder of poor James" Kai had a determined look in his eyes as he informed of this. "I know this might be dangerous for you and it might cost you beloved job back in London but I want you to help me" he held onto her hand as he asked her.

"No i... this...impossible..Kai I could get sacked if the Deputy Assistant Commisoner found out. You're going to have to do this alone" Sandra couldn't help worrying about the consequences she might face with losing her job.

Their conversation was intruded upon by her UCOS team. "I'm afraid we'll helping Kai as much as possible" Jack said, smiling.

End of Chapter

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